Justin Abdelkader: 75 games, 13 goals, 22 assists. The offense returned, and Abdelkader provided the versatility that’s been a hallmark of his career. Can play up and down the lineup, and provides a physical presence. GRADE: B-minus
David Guralnick, Detroit News

Andreas Athanasiou: 71 games, 16 goals, 17 assists. Is Athanasiou a part of the future, or a trade piece? You can’t underestimate the 16 goals, after missing time because of a contract standoff. But there are too many games you simply don’t notice him. GRADE: C-plus
David Guralnick, Detroit News

David Booth: 28 games, 4 goals, 1 assist. Booth made the team out of a professional tryout in training camp. Didn’t play much, but was a good example for young players with his diligent work in weight room and in practice. GRADE: C
David Guralnick, Detroit News

Tyler Bertuzzi: 48 games, 7 goals,17 assists. In the final weeks, Bertuzzi showed the type of player he’s likely to be throughout his career, hanging around the net, scoring dirty goals, and being a valuable complementary piece. GRADE: B
David Guralnick, Detroit News

Luke Witkowski: 31 games, 1 goal, 3 assists. Was brought in for his physical presence and versatility — can play forward and defense — and did his job. After his 10-game suspension in mid-November, appeared to be a marked man by some referees. GRADE: C
David Guralnick, Detroit News

Martin Frk: 68 games, 11 goals, 14 assists.
Started off so well, as opponents possibly weren’t totally familiar with his booming shot, but teams adjusted. Frk only had one goal over his last 23 games, and it’s up to him to diversify his game. GRADE: C
David Guralnick, Detroit News

Luke Glendening: 69 games, 11 goals, 8 assists. Had the type of season the organization has come to expect, as an impactful penalty killer and defensive forward, with more offense. Important part of lineup, but with a manageable contract Glendening could be a popular trade target.
GRADE: B-minus
David Guralnick, Detroit News

Darren Helm: 75 games, 13 goals, 18 assists. Largely stayed healthy, which has always been a difficulty, and with that Helm had an underrated season. Provided offense, was an able penalty killer and was effective in his usual checking role. Good veteran presence. GRADE: B
David Guralnick, Detroit News

Gustav Nyquist: 82 games, 21 goals, 19 assists. Nyquist had a productive offensive season, and Blashill raved about the competitiveness Nyquist brings to each game. The Wings have a big decision to make going forward, as Nyquist is an unrestricted free agent next summer.
GRADE: B
David Guralnick, Detroit News

Dylan Larkin: 82 games, 16 goals, 47 assists. Showed instances where full-fledged stardom may not be far away, particular the last several weeks. Taking on a leadership role, is self-accountable, and wants to face the best players. A definite cornerstone of the organization. GRADE: A-minus
David Guralnick, Detroit News

Henrik Zetterberg: 82 games, 11 goals, 45 assists. His durability these past several seasons after back surgery has been remarkable. Zetterberg continues to be an impactful player on and off the ice. The Wings would be significantly weaker if he weren’t around.GRADE: B-plus
David Guralnick, Detroit News

Frans Nielsen: 79 games, 16 goals, 17 assists. In his second season with the Wings you got a better understanding of what the organization saw when they signed Nielsen. Not a superstar, but a steady, sturdy, pro’s pro who makes his team better in subtle ways. GRADE: B
David Guralnick, Detroit News

Anthony Mantha: 80 games, 24 goals, 24 assists.: Mantha can be maddening at times with his slumps and occasional lapses on the ice. But few players with his size have the type of hands and offensive instincts he possesses. He’s a big part of the Wings’ future. GRADE: B-plus
David Guralnick, Detroit News

Evgeny Svechnikov: 14 games, 2 goals, 2 assists
COMMENT: Didn’t get ample ice time in a late-season audition, but Svechnikov did show some of the characteristics that should serve him well. Effective shot, good size, but might need a bit more seasoning. GRADE: Incomplete
David Guralnick, Detroit News

Nick Jensen: 81 games, 0 goals, 15 assists. Held on to a regular spot in the lineup but didn’t necessarily progress after an impressive rookie NHL season. Jensen could be traded to open defensive positions for next season. GRADE: C-minus
David Guralnick, Detroit News

Danny DeKeyser: 65 games, 6 goals, 6 assists. An ankle injury stalled DeKeyser’s start, and it took a while to get his timing. Was much better the second half, getting involved offensively and playing some of his best overall hockey in several years. GRADE: B-minus
David Guralnick, Detroit News

Jonathan Ericsson: 81 games, 3 goals, 10 assists. Ericsson formed a decent top defensive pairing with Trevor Daley. His size and skating ability are valuable on this defensive unit, but on most teams he isn’t a first-pairing defenseman. GRADE: C-plus
David Guralnick, Detroit News

Joe Hicketts: 5 games, 0 goals, 3 assists. In a brief late-season audition Hicketts showed a confidence that could serve him well in the NHL. He compensates for lack of size with an impressive swagger. Can run a power play, but has to be a bit more cautious. GRADE: Incomplete
David Guralnick, Detroit News

Trevor Daley: 77 games, 9 goals, 7 assists. The Wings’ key free agent acquisition pretty much had the type of season the team expected. Daley provided a stabilizing presence on a blue line that desperately needed it. GRADE: B-minus
David Guralnick, Detroit News

Niklas Kronwall: 79 games, 4 goals, 23 assists. The old warhorse keeps going, and will for one more season. Kronwall overcame the knee pain to play some tough minutes but age is rapidly catching up. His leadership can’t be overlooked. GRADE: C
David Guralnick, Detroit News

Xavier Ouellet: 45 games, 0 goals, 7 assists. At this point it’s probably best for Ouellet to get a fresh start in another organization. Couldn’t gain a regular spot in the lineup and was hesitant when he did play. GRADE: D-plus
David Guralnick, Detroit News

Jimmy Howard: 22-27-9, .910 SVS. 2.85 GAA. Arguably the first-half MVP of this team, and Howard’s play didn’t slip much after that. Has had an admirable resurgence the last two seasons after appearing to be expansion or trade fodder. Could end up finishing his career here. GRADE: B-plus
David Guralnick, Detroit News

General manager Ken Holland took another step toward rebuilding this organization by trading goalie Petr Mrazek (to Philadelphia) and forward Tomas Tatar (to Las Vegas) and acquiring draft picks. The Wings have 11 this June, in what could be an important turning point. The roster continued to get younger, with an eye toward the future, during an overall drab season. GRADE: C
David Guralnick, Detroit News

Coach Jeff Blashill and his assistants arguably got as much as they could out of this roster. A year ago there were concerns about the lack of progress of some younger players. That wasn’t an issue this season, with Larkin, Mantha and Bertuzzi all enjoying fine seasons. This team also played hard in March with nothing much to play for. The special teams, though, continue to be ranked near the bottom of the league. GRADE: B-minus.
David Guralnick, Detroit News

Detroit — The bottom line, more than anything, is Dylan Larkin wants to play hockey.

Larkin was saying last month, as the Red Wings were departing for the summer, how bored he was just several days after the regular season ended.

So, when the opportunity to play for Team USA and Wings coach Jeff Blashill — who is coaching the national team for the second consecutive year — arose, Larkin jumped at it.

“Playing into May is what it’s all about,” said Larkin, who added he didn’t want to get “complacent” with finishing his hockey season in April. “I just think I’m young, I have a lot of energy, a lot of passion, so I want to keep playing.”

Some of the success Larkin had this season was in part due to his play in last year’s tournament, and the time he spent with Blashill in Cologne, Germany.

As Team USA begins its tournament today against Canada (10:15 a.m./NHL Network), Larkin’s development year-to-year is evident.

Blashill named Larkin an alternate captain, and Larkin is centering the No. 1 line between Chicago’s Patrick Kane and the New York Islanders’ Anders Lee.

“I want to win,” said Larkin, adding the sudden and unexpected death of Jim Johannsson, a popular USA Hockey executive, has added motivation to everyone around the program. “I want to keep playing, and with the passing of Jim Johannsson and the efforts we’ve seen from USA Hockey, we want to go over there and win.”

Larkin, 22, was one of Team USA’s best players in 2017, helping the team to the quarterfinals (USA was 6-2-0 in round-robin play), while his 10 points (2 goals, 8 assists) trailed only Johnny Gaudreau on the national team. Larkin had a plus-8 plus-minus rating, with his confidence at an all-time high.

And it was during the tournament that Blashill began using Larkin in every situation, taking key face-offs and building a trust that carried into the regular season.

“It was good for us and built a lot of trust,” Larkin said. “I played in all situations. I hope I can have that same impact this year and our trust grows even more.”

Blashill felt the tournament was a significant factor in Larkin’s growth.

“Dylan’s going to be a big part of our team, and just building that time together last year was probably the first year where Dylan got to really be a go-to guy with me,” Blashill said. “Maybe a little that year in the Calder Cup (2013 in Grand Rapids) when he came out of Michigan, but last year was certainly the first time.

“I mean a real go-to guy up the middle and we can just build upon that. He’s been in that moment a lot this year, he’s been a go-to guy for us (the Wings) a lot.

“Hopefully this can continue to build upon our relationship.”

The fact Larkin wanted more responsibility and was so self-accountable throughout this season was a good sign for Blashill.

“Anytime you get to put the team on your shoulders and you win or lose, it can help you,” Blashill said. “It can really help you either way. If you lose, you can learn from it and if you win, it gives you confidence that you can put the team on your shoulders and win.”

This year’s tournament has quite a few impact players in it, with Canada getting commitments from Connor McDavid, Mathew Barzal, Aaron Ekblad, Russia from goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky, and Sweden from goaltender Henrik Lundqvist.

Although the NHL playoffs are the top prize, what every coach and player want to compete in at this time of year, the world championships, are a close second.

“It’s an unreal tournament and you get to stay in a real competitive environment for another month,” Blashill said. “It was an unbelievable experience (last year), certainly not as good as being in the playoffs, but it’s second to that.”

Larkin is banking on having another successful May with Team USA, including earning a medal and then carrying over that feeling into Wings’ training camp in September.

“Moving forward in my career, the next step is becoming a winner,” Larkin said. “When we get into games late, to have that extra factor where I take my game to another level to either hold onto a lead or try to get that goal to tie it up or win.”